Delta State running back Richard Freelon / Hays Collins/Special to The Clarion-Ledger

What happened last year?

In Ron Roberts' fifth season as DSU coach, the Statesmen won the Gulf South Conference championship and reached the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Among the teams the Statesmen beat in the postseason was North Greenville, which was coached by Jamey Chadwell. QB Micah Davis threw for more than 3,700 yards and accounted for 36 TDs.

The buzz

DSU returned 57 players for spring practice, but a throng of newcomers also has come onboard. Chadwell has installed a spread option offense that averaged 40 ppg at NGU. QB Davis is gone, but back on offense are top rusher Richard Freelon, fellow RB Bryce McBride, WRs Erick Clayton and Lavon Downs and three-year letterman OT Kendall Hunter. LB Ixavier Triplett and DB Kenny Barnes (three INTs) lead a Statesmen defense that created 34 takeaways last fall.

2012 schedule

Sept. 1 Ft. Valley State, noon

Sept. 8 at Elizabeth City St., 6 p.m.

Sept. 22 North Alabama*, 6

Sept. 27 Abilene Christian, 6

Oct. 6 at Tarleton State, 7

Oct. 13 West Georgia*, 6

Oct. 20 at Valdosta State*, 3

Oct. 27 West Alabama*, 4

Nov. 3 at U. of Indianapolis, 6

Nov. 10 at Shorter*, 2

*GSC games

Can't miss game

The North Alabama game (Sept. 22) is always big. It's the Gulf South opener this year, in Cleveland. The Lions, now coached by Jackson native Bobby Wallace, went 9-3 in 2011.

THREE QUESTIONS WITH COACH CHADWELL

1. Do you feel pressure to succeed right away here?

"There's pressure every year at a place like Delta State. They've been as good as anybody in the country. We're just trying to put our stamp on it."

2. Is the offense going to be radically different from 2011?

"It's a huge change. This is a run-based offense. We'll throw it some, but it's a big change. Guys are having to learn different roles."

"I wish I knew. We've got two kids, Spencer Van Brant and Brandon Bailey, who went through spring. And we've got a transfer (Trevor Wooden/Missouri State) and a freshman coming in."

Players to watch

On offense...

Richard Freelon, RB, Jr.

Freelon, 6 feet, 205 pounds, transferred in last season from D-I Jacksonville State and took charge as the No. 1 rusher. The Bruce native ran for 700 yards, averaged 5.6 yards a pop and scored eight rushing TDs. He may get even more work in the new offense.

On defense...

Ixavier Triplett, LB, Jr.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Triplett, out of Hillsboro and Scott Central High, was an All-GSC first-teamer in 2011. He led DSU in tackles with 82, forced four fumbles, recovered two and picked off a pass. He was GSC defensive freshman of the year in 2010.